Hiring a car on holidays or for work is a great alternative to paying for taxis or public transport in Australia. It gives you the freedom to determine your travel destinations, timing and when and where to stop or leave a place. However, hiring a car can have its pitfalls, and knowing what to look out for when hiring a car can save you a lot of money and time.
Age Limits
There are a number of requirements you need to meet before you can hire a car. For most car hire companies, the age for hiring a car is 21 and the vehicle type is also limited until 25 years of age. Many companies will not accept drivers under the age of 25 and those that do often have extra costs and fewer benefits. Therefore it is important to choose who will drive wisely when hiring a vehicle.
Hidden Fees
One of the most important things to look at when hiring a car is the fine print. Check the terms and conditions and exactly what you are getting for your money with a fine tooth comb. Some companies will have a cheap base price then ask for more for extra kilometres, certain accessories or have a high liability.
The Liability
If the worse were to happen when hiring a car, you want to know what liability you may need to pay. Some companies may have no liability while other may have high liability. This is generally due to cheap rental prices, so make sure you know your Standard Liability and Liability Reduction options so you don’t get caught out.
Kilometres Per Day
Understanding how far you can drive per day is essential. If you go over this limit you may have to pay extra fees at a higher rate. Most car rentals include “unlimited kilometres”, whereas other more remote locations may have “limited kilometres”. Check all the terms and conditions closely before you hire a car to avoid extra charges.
Need a rental car?
If you are after a great deal on a rental car for your next holiday or business trip, then we can help you. We have a new model fleet of vehicles to choose from, as well as being located inside most Australian airport terminals.